Steeda's 1996-2002 Timing Adjuster Installation Instructions


PLEASE READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS AND WARNINGS BEFORE BEGINNING INSTALLATION.


Note: This kit works with the stock crank pulley, Steeda underdrive pulleys and Auto Specialties' one-piece pulley/balancer underdrive crank pulley. If you have an underdrive pulley kit which uses the original crank pulley bolted to the front of the underdrive pulley, the Timing Adjuster will not fit
1) Set the parking brake and remove the keys from the ignition.

2) Remove the accessory belt.

3) Remove the crankshaft pulley/balancer retention bolt and crankshaft washer. Do not remove the crankshaft pulley/balancer. Clean the silicone sealer out of the front of the balancer and keyway with a knife. This will make room for the Timing Adjuster Hub to fit on.

4) Attach the steel Timing Wheel to the aluminum Timing Adjuster Hub with the bolts and washers provided. Align the timing mark with the desired timing and tighten the bolts. See the "Adjusting Timing" section at the end of these instructions. The stock factory timing setting is 10°.

5) Align the small tab on the end of the Timing Adjuster Hub with the keyway slot machined in the crankshaft pulley/balancer. Install the Timing Adjuster Hub onto the balancer with the new bolt and washer supplied. Torque the bolt to 95 lb/ft.

Note for Automatic Transmission Only:
To properly torque the retention bolt on automatic transmission cars, the engine must be held from turning by holding the torque converter. The torque converter can be accessed by removing a plug towards the front-drivers side of the transmission. (Consult a service manual for more information). Hold the torque converter from turning with a 14mm wrench.

Warning! If underdrive pulleys or a new balancer is being installed at the same time as the timing adjuster, the balancer must first be installed using the factory bolt, torque specifications and factory recommended installation procedure. Only after the balancer is properly installed may the timing adjuster be added using the bolt provided. DO NOT USE THE TIMING ADJUSTER HUB AND BOLT TO PULL THE BALANCER ONTO THE CRANKSHAFT.
6) Unplug the wiring harness from the crankshaft position sensor.
7) Remove the three A/C compressor retention bolts and pull the compressor out of the way to gain access to the crankshaft position sensor. WARNING: DO NOT REMOVE THE A/C HOSES or loosen the A/C pressure relief valve. A/C refrigerant is toxic and under high pressure. Support the A/C compressor to avoid straining the A/C lines.
8) Unbolt and remove the crankshaft position sensor.
9) Insert the magnetic pickup end of the crankshaft position sensor through the hole in the Steeda Sensor Bracket. Tip: Lubricate the o-ring with oil and twist the sensor as you apply pressure to snap the sensor into position. Bolt the position sensor to the Sensor Bracket with the new retaining bolt supplied and torque to 6-9 Ft-Lb (71-106 In-Lb).

10) Install the supplied o-ring in the groove on the Sensor Bracket boss. (see image on right)
11) Lubricate the o-ring with a drop of engine oil. Insert the round boss (with o-ring) of the Sensor Bracket into the crankshaft position sensor hole on the front engine cover. Align the bracket and install the factory retaining bolt. Torque to 6-9 Ft-Lb (71-106 In-Lb).
12) Check the clearance between the end of the crankshaft position sensor and the Timing Wheel with a feeler gauge . The gap should be between 0.012 and 0.080 inches. If it falls outside of this range, remove the Sensor Bracket, Adjuster Hub and Timing Wheel to check for dirt which could cause the parts to be out of alignment and then reinstall them. If this fails to correct the problem contact Steeda Autosports before proceeding.
13) Re-install the A/C compressor and torque the retaining bolts to 15-22 Ft-Lb. Unplug the wiring harness retainers from the engine and pull the wiring harness forward to plug into the crankshaft position sensor. Connect the sensor and secure the wires away from the A/C pulley, accessory belt, and other moving parts with the included zip ties. Install the accessory belt.
14) Double check that the timing is set to the desired setting and that the bolts are properly tightened. Thread locking compound such as Loctite is recommended. WARNING! FAILURE TO PROPERLY TIGHTEN THE BOLTS COULD RESULT IN THE TIMING WHEEL COMING FREE FROM THE ENGINE, POSSIBLY CAUSING ENGINE DAMAGE AND SERIOUS PERSONAL INJURY.

Adjusting Timing



Premium grade gasoline with a minimum octane of 92 or higher is required whenever the timing adjuster is set higher than 10 degrees. Incorrect adjustment and/or inadequate fuel octane can lead to serious engine damage. Steeda Autosports is not responsible for damage due to the use or misuse of the Timing Adjuster.

1) Set the parking brake with the engine off.

2) Bump the engine over with the ignition until the timing marks can be read on the Timing Adjuster Hub. Then REMOVE THE KEYS FROM THE IGNITION.

3) Loosen the three socket head (Allen) bolts on the front of the Timing Wheel.

4) Rotate the steel Timing Wheel until the right edge of the first tooth (the tooth to the left of the gap) is aligned with the desired timing mark on the aluminum Timing Adjuster Hub. The small groove engraved on the front of the Timing Wheel points to the correct edge of the first tooth.

10° is the factory timing setting. The engraved line in the middle of the timing marks on the aluminum Timing Adjuster Hub is at the factory 10° setting. Each full line represents two degrees of advance or retard. Each half line represents another degree. For example, to advance the timing 4º more than stock set the timing at 14° (the second full line to the right of the engraved 10° line).

5) Tighten the three socket head bolts. For quick tuning adjustments at the drag strip or on the dyno, the lock washers are sufficient to hold timing adjustments if the bolts are properly tightened and checked frequently. FOR LONG TERM USE, LOCTITE ™ THREADLOCKING COMPOUND IS RECOMMENDED FAILURE TO PROPERLY TIGHTEN THE BOLTS COULD RESULT IN THE TIMING WHEEL COMING FREE FROM THE ENGINE, POSSIBLY CAUSING ENGINE DAMAGE AND SERIOUS PERSONAL INJURY.
Picture Shows Timing Set At 14°

Adjustment Guidelines


Warning:
Listed below are recommended general starting points only! There is no substitute for Dynamometer and track tuning by an experienced technician. These settings will need to be adjusted for best performance after experimentation on the specific vehicle in use. Steeda is not responsible for variations in individual vehicles or damage/loss that occurs due to those variations. Always listen for detonation (pinging) when driving the vehicle. If detonation occurs, retard the timing until the detonation is eliminated.

Some Timing Settings by vehicle
("Starting points" only - see note above):
  • Naturally Aspirated (no Supercharger or Nitrous) GT or Cobra
    • 1996-1998: 14° to 16°
    • 1999-2002: 12° to 14° Note: 1999 and newer Mustangs may experience some "bucking" during part throttle operation if the timing is set above 13°. This will not affect full throttle performance.
  • Centrifugal Supercharged (Vortech, Powerdyne, Paxton) 1996-1998 GT with no computer chip: Start with 14 and then subtract 1° for every 2 psi of boost (example for 10 psi: 14°-5=9°)
  • Vortech Supercharged 1996-1998 Cobra with no timing adjustments made by computer chip: Start with 9 and then subtract 1° for every 2 psi of boost (example for 8 psi: 9°-4=5°)
  • For Nitrous Oxide and Roots (Ford SVO) or Screw (Kenne Bell) type superchargers, consult the manufacturer and a technician experienced with the kit for the best recommendation.
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